Did you hear the one about the programmer and the
engineer?

A Programmer and an Engineer are sitting next to each other on a long
flight from LA to NY. The Programmer leans over to the Engineer and
asks if he would like to play a fun game. The Engineer just wants to
take a nap, so he politely declines and rolls over to the window to
catch a few winks.

The Programmer persists and explains that the game is real easy and a
lotta fun. He explains "I ask you a question, and if you don't know
the answer, you pay me $5. Then you ask me a question, and if I don't
know the answer, I'll pay you $5."

Again, the Engineer politely declines and tries to get to
sleep.

The Programmer, now somewhat agitated, says, "OK, if you don't know
the answer you pay me $5, and if I don't know the answer, I'll pay you
$50!"

This catches the Engineer's attention, and he sees no end to
this torment unless he plays, so he agrees to the game. The
Programmer asks the first question. "What's the distance from the earth
to the moon?"

The Engineer doesn't say a word, but reaches into his wallet,
pulls out a five dollar bill and hands it to the Programmer.

Now, it's the Engineer's turn. He asks the Programmer "What
goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down on four?"

The Programmer looks up at him with a puzzled look. He takes
out his laptop computer and searches all of his references. He taps
into the Airphone with his modem and searches the net and the Library
of Congress. Frustrated, he sends e-mail to his co-workers --
all to no avail.

After about an hour, he wakes the Engineer and hands him $50.
The Engineer politely takes the $50 and turns away to try to get
back to sleep.

The Programmer, more than a little miffed, shakes the
Engineer and asks "Well, so what's the answer?"

Without a word, the Engineer reaches into his wallet, hands
the Programmer $5, and turns away to get back to sleep.